First Day of the New School Year

Today is the day! I remembered when I was in high school and sauntered nonchalantly into class on the first day. I looked calm but I was a ball of nerves thinking, "Is this going to be the best year or the worst?" To my great relief, the teachers in my life poured into me, loved me, and taught me how to think big. Those were some of the best days I had as a kid. Now, I am THAT educator. I vow to be everything I can be for each student that comes into my room. We will have a memorable and effective year!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Psalm 84:1-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 84

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.^[a]

¹ How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
² I long, yes, I faint with longing
    to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
    I will shout joyfully to the living God.
³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
    O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
⁴ What joy for those who can live in your house,
    always singing your praises. Interlude

⁵ What joy for those whose strength comes from theLord,
    who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
⁶ When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,^[b]
    it will become a place of refreshing springs.
    The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
⁷ They will continue to grow stronger,
    and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.^[c]

⁸ O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.
    Listen, O God of Jacob. Interlude

⁹ O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!
    Show favor to the one you have anointed.

¹⁰ A single day in your courts
    is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
    than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
    He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
    from those who do what is right.
¹² O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
    what joy for those who trust in you.

I love this Psalm!  Every Word so accurately describes my affections for the things of God.I can visualize the birds of the air finding refuge in the Presence of God.  He is everywhere; He is omnipresent, even in the existence of nature and natural things...not just supernatural things.  Is joy something that you are lacking in your life?  Then, do what the Psalmist says...live in the house of God, always singing praises.  My mouth....my mouth is my greatest enemy (not satan).  Satan cannot read my mind; he cannot know the future.  He only knows what I verbalize or portray in my attitude.  I am the one who gives him clues as to what my struggles are and he attempts to monopolize on my weaknesses by what I say.  I have to remember that I am anointed for God's good work.  The Psalmist also says that the Lord shows favor upon the anointed.  I have God's favor.  It's so true. "I would rather be a gatekeeper in the House of my God than live the good life" anywhere else!!  God gives me grace and glory, and HE will withhold NO good thing from me if I strive to do what is right. Again, there is joy available for those who TRUST in God.  I trust the Lord.  Therefore, what struggles could I possibly have that can deter God's plan for my life.  There are none! None!  God is good, as is HIS Word.

Home Sweet Home

Well, I was not able to access my blog while overseas. However, during the next few days, I will attempt to blog about our experience. I loved visiting Asia, yet I am so thankful for where we have been called to minister, Weatherford. While we were overseas, our family still continued our morning devotions. We talked about the passage in the book of James that states, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." How do we accomplish this? We enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Thanksgiving and praise. Not so hard. After thinking for a moment, Addyson shouts, "When I get back to America, I'm not gonna have any trouble drawing near to God. I am going to enter his gate with thanksgiving for my toilet, my van, my food, my bed, my life...." and the list continued for about 30 more seconds. We all literally laughed out loud (lol). For the record, she did praise God as we entered the doors to our home. I learn lessons from her everyday.

Trip of a lifetime!

Making lists--checking them twice
packing up
scoping out the airlines
saying goodbye to friends
counting to make sure we have all of our chldren
prayed up
rested up---well, sort of

Asia-HERE WE COME!

The Habit of Happiness

Have you ever noticed how some people are always "down in the dumps?" Eeyore is enthusiastic compared to some of these unfortunate souls. Every morning I wake up thanking God that I WOKE UP! If I have nothing else to be thankful for, I can be thankful for that. However, generally speaking, I wake up every day excited to go into my kids' bedrooms, tickle their feet, and sing, "Good morning, good morning, good morning. It's time to rise and shine. Good morning, good morning, good morning. I hope you're feeling fine!" To my chagrin, they moan somewhat disdainfully, 'Good morning, mom." I love these days. I am happy because I choose to be. It's a good choice. You know, grocery shoppin is not my favorite thing, but I don't have to grow my own food. This is a great life. Yes, my kids will go to the store with me. They love me. I am happy.

Blessed Beyond Measure

I'm so honored to be a child of the King of Kings! Look at my life...wonderful husband, beautiful children, amazing job, nice home, yard, van, cool church, healthy kids (mostly), food to eat, school to attend, grocery store to buy stuff, imagination to have fun, and so much more! My heart is full of blessings. The girl in the picture is from Thamahanzi, South Africa...her name is Miriam. Lord, bless Miriam with all your promises.

Summer Rain

Addyson has walked in the Kitchen and given me a hug. She is as sweet as sugar on a gumdrop. Her statement she keeps making is, "it's such a beautiful day!" It's only 77 degrees and it has been raining on and off all day. It is "indeed" a beautiful day! I'm grateful that I'm not too old to learn valuable lessons from a 7 year old. Sometimes we are tempted to grumble when the sun does not shine, but not today! "We celebrate a beautiful day," says Addyson.

Thank you, Lord for your good gifts to us.

Amazing KIDS!

We had an awesome weekend! It was the annual Spring Soccer Tournament. Dylon and Brooklyn had a fast-paced, hard-playing weekend. Brooklyn kicked off the weekend with her Friday night Game. Unfortunately, I feel like it was the championship game. Her team lost right off the bat, and the opponent did win the whole tournament. She was an amazing team player. I believe she scored 2 goals during her first game. The next morning she and her brother played at the same time, 9:00 am. I was running back and forth trying to watch both kids play their hearts out. Dylon's team came up short on his first game and Brooklyn won her game like 10-2....no kidding. It was ridiculous. She scored another 2 goals in that game as well. Due to the fact that Dylon lost his first game, he had to turn right around and play another one at 11:00am. His team was outscored during the first half 0-2. As I noticed his slumped shoulders and glum look at half time I asked Dylon, "Do you think you can win?" He replied, "not really." I said, "What!?!" He laughed, "I'm just being honest, Mom." I encouraged him, gave him a hug, and told him to play with his HEART! I tell you what, that kid is awesome....He was picking his teammates up off the field, patting them on the back, running with an endurance that I've never seen in him. He came out and scored a goal. Then, he set his teammate up for a goal! The game was tied. He ran down the field and I yelled at him, "Dylon, Do you think you can win?!" He laughed, shaking his head and said, "OH YEAH!" Right after that, he was able to shoot a penalty kick right over the top of the goalie! Yes! We were ahead by one! He looked at me and I could see that he was playing with his HEART! He ran like an antelope trying to escape the African Lion with just a few seconds left, leaving everything on the field. He shoots at the goal, it bounces off the opponent, but Dylon doesn't stop running. and he kicks again, scoring another goal at the whistle. His team won 4-2! I love that kid, not because of his ability, but because he is MINE! I love what he loves and right now, he loves soccer. Needless to say, he lost the next game he played, which was at 3:00 pm. He did score 2 goals in that game, but he was completely spent. Three hours of playing soccer will do that to you. Brooklyn also won her 1:00 pm. game and scored 2 goals. We had fun and it's over for now. I can't wait to see what summer brings!


This video is Dylon's Penalty Kick that helped win the game!

Addyson's Ear

Well, I am posting this entry in the hopes that all who read it will PRAY! Addyson had another ear check-up (post surgery). It was not good news. The graft is not taking, she has considerable infection in it, the ear drum in sunken in, and she still can't get any fluid in it. The doctor thinks that her eustachian tube in not working in her left ear. However, he did say that her hearing is better than he would have expected based on what the ear looks like. She is considerably below normal though. I kept her home from school today. She is just not right....dark circles, tired, 99 degree fever. Thanks for prayin. I'm believing God for a miracle. He has already proved himself faithful. By the way, the doctor want to wait 'til August before he makes any decision to "do" something else.

Beautiful Music

Well, the music of my life is a wonderful symphony, filled with so many different, enjoyable details. We are currently in the middle of soccer season. We have 3 children playing soccer, having practices and games. It's alot of fun. Brooklyn scored 8 goals on opening day! Addyson scored 7 goals at her first game! Dylon is an awesome team player. He has scored one goal and has 4 assists! We love it and the kids are getting amazing exercise.



Brooklyn has just participated in her 2nd annual Spring Piano Recital. We love her piano teacher. Mrs. Jane is so great and she announced that this year was the 22nd Annual Piano Recital for her! Brooklyn was very nervous but she was so mature. I am so very proud of her.



Well, I shall try to keep up with the blog. I'm sorry that I've lagged a little. Keep tunin' in because life couldn't be any sweeter!

She was so very nervous, but I love her more for trying her best in front of two hundred people.......Love ya lil' sis!

Happy Birthday Mama Kate....Grandma!

Today is Nate's momma's birthday. We were able to have a little party for her on Friday Night. Addyson woke up early on Friday morning to help me bake the cake! She was excited to be able to bless her Grandma! Kate is an amazing blessing in our lives. My family is better for just knowing her. She is truly an extraordinary woman of God and she has such a beautiful heart for all people, including her family. Today is her day and we thank the Lord for giving us another year of life to share with her. We pray that this next year would be an even greater experience in her life!

Praising My Way!

This has definitely been a different kind of week. Our Pastor preached, "Get Your Praise On" on Sunday. His word was great for me...The Lord has already been working on my heart to lift my voice to Him daily.... Music sets the tone or atmosphere for what happens in our lives...For example, studies show that easy listening music causes consumers to stay longer and spend more money in a store..Contemporary Pop music makes them shop faster and spend less money. How much more will Praise and Worship in our homes affect our lives and the lives of our children! I want my life to mirror Christ,and the mirror will reflect my praise life! Are you praising God today? If not, just TRY IT!
Well, first thing on Monday, my dryer broke! What? Family of Five with no clothes dryer? Yep! I kept praising. Tuesday was a difficult day for other reasons, but I kept praisin'. Yesterday, I have to be honest, we received Addyson's Medical bills...I just didn't feel like praisin'.($16,000) However, I have an awesome husband, soul mate, partner, encourager....Nate is all of these. He reminded me who owns the cattle on every hill...THE LORD!!! He know! He knows what I need even before I do! He is a mighty God, a powerful, a holy God. Go listen to the song by Martha Munizzi "Mighty God"...It reminded me that "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, in the heavenlies. And we will stand and hold our ground for we have all authority, power in Jesus Name. Don't YOU Worry 'bout a thang!" Satan doesn't want us praising God, he wants us beat down, downcast, ineffective, and definitely not living from Victory to Victory! So yes! I'm still praising my way through every situation! God is still in Control!

Goals for 2009

Hello Friends,
I have had an amazing holiday and now we are back into the school schedule. My kids are amazing and they are loving life! We all have many goals for the upcoming year and we are very excited to see what GOD has in store for us this year!

My family is completely believing GOD for health and wholeness. It is really no secret that we have battled some health issues in the past, including the present, however, we are seeking hard after the Lord to receive a BREAKTHROUGH! I trust and believe that he has our best interests at heart. For example, last year we sent our kids to public school. I wasn't exactly sure why we were supposed to do that, Ohh I though i understood what some reason's were, but I really had no clue. In the Public school system children receive free vision and hearing screenings (they do not at their current private school). Last year, Addyson failed the hearing screening, which was a shock to me. Upon finding out that she was having trouble, I realized that she wasn't hearing as well as she should...Long story short, due to the initial realization that something was wrong, she has been to the ENT (ear, Nose, and throat) specialist and has had surgery not too long ago. Because of the problems, the surgery, they saved her life by removing a Cholesteatoma! God new all along why we were to be in the public school system! He guided and directed our steps! Without that path, I don't know if I would have ever really noticed Addyson's hearing loss. That was her only real symptom of the cholesteatoma, but it wasn't a loud clanging GONG getting my attention!
LESSON: Trust the Lord to direct your every step! Believe that He is Who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do!

This year I'm believing God for Health, prosperity, the wisdom and understanding to be a great example to my kids on how to live a successful life in every area (relationally, physically, personally, and spiritually).
I'm also motivated to MOVE MY BODY for at least 15 minutes every day! Let's encourage each other to stay healthy!
I'm also asking God to help me write a song this year...oh yeah, by the way, I've picked up the guitar and am learning to play it!
Another challenge I feel like the Lord has put on my heart: I am committed to Worshiping Jesus Everyday in Song! So far so good and I'm having a blast! My family and I sit down almost every evening and worship together..We've had so much fun and we are being blessed in ways we have longed for! Thanks for listening....what are your goals for 2009? Please share..........

P.S. This tree is one of my favorites. It is an October Glory Red Maple. I hope my life is like that tree. I want to bloom where I'm planted, giving glory to the Lord in beautiful ways!

Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year! Nate's Mom and Dad got to come and enjoy chrimstmas with us this year! We have had a great day, except that Addyson woke up at 1:30 am vomitting. She had her packing removed from her ear and her stitches removed yesterday....We don't know what's up with the nausea! She is sleeping now...Other than my baby is having a hard day, we are enjoying our time. Love everyone!

Miracles in Disguise!

Well, I haven't blogged in a while. Let me fill you in....Addyson has had some ear troubles..Took her to the ENT and he let us know that when her eardrum ruptured more than a year ago, it never healed...She still had a hole in her ear. Notice I said, "had!" He wanted to do tymphanoplasty as soon as possible. We scheduled it. That means "to cut muscle from above her ear, and graft it to her eardrum." The surgery took place on Monday, Dec. 15th. It was an hour and 40 minute procedure. When the doctor got into her ear, he found a cholesteatoma! BAD, Bad, Bad! A cholesteatoma is a tumor-like destructive cyst. Whatever it touches it destroys and can cause paralysis of the face, deafness, meningitis from brain infection and even death! The doctor had no idea it was in there because it wasn't in a normal place. Praise God we decided to have surgery! The cholesteatoma was on here middle ear bones, which usually means a transplant, but Addy's looked okay! We will be going back regularly to make sure they got it all. Because it was there, they had to remove more of her eardrum, but they patched it (graft) so she is fine! We will see how her hearing returns over time! We will have to do a "second-look procedure" in about 6-10 months. She will undergo anesthesia again, and if it(the cholesteatoma) is there, remove it! She is a trooper! She is at school right now...We'll see how it goes! Thanks for praying! God is a miracle working God! We didn't know danger was lurking , but God did and He took care of Addyson!

What's your season?

Nate and I are in such a wonderful season in our lives. We no longer have babies, but the little ones we have (10, 8, and almost 6 year olds) are such a blessing to us. We laugh so much every day. I never want it to end! The fall is my favorite time of year. It is a precursor to the Christmas season, which is so much FUN!!! The fall has perfect temperatures, beautiful colors, and wonderful smells...I pray that today all my family and friends appreciate life as they know it, live to our full potential in Christ, and share with others all the good things they find!

Addyson and I were sitting on the couch together last night and I showed her a bruise that I had on my arm...She said, "you're a WHITE WOMAN momma, you bruise too easy, I'm an INDIAN, I never bruise." I laughed so hard, it was so random coming out of a 5 year old mouth, this season is magnificent! Is yours?

24 hour "firsts"

We have had an exciting last 24 hours! Addyson FINALLY rode her bike WITHOUT training wheels!!! She just made up her mind that she was ready to try it! She grabbed Aviree's (our neice) Bike and away she Went!!! So fun! This morning she woke up and decided that she was not going to let mommy help her tie her shoes. We've been working on that one for awhile. She was so excited that she started screaming, "mommy, come here, come here!" I was thinking, "Oh, no what happened." I went into her room and she had the biggest smile on her face, "Look, mommy, I made two people turn into bunny ears and they hugged each other and LOOK! My shoes are tied!" I laughed so hard...Good job, Addy Grace!

God is so Good!

Man, I love the fall... It is beautiful! My family and I took pics of each other on Sunday....Practicing some photography, hehe. Not really...just had a camera so we started snapping the beautiful day...
Got to lead a lady to Christ this morning!!! God is amazing! No matter where we've been, God still loves us and we can be used by HIM even in the OFFICE!!!

Family Time

It has been an amazing two days....Nate has been asking me to just go on a drive "to see what we can see." I haven't been feeling very well, which I will catch you up on that scenario later, so I have been declining his request. Yesterday, I made up my mind that I would "just do it" no matter how I was feeling. We took a drive around Foss Lake and it was so pretty. We saw all kinds of wildlife and it was just....peaceful. God is in every aspect of life, if we'll just open our eyes and see HIM!

This morning I went to the Fire Dept. with Addyson's class. She is so cute and serious, which is good because we all need an escape plan..heehee. My time here on earth is important, and I want every day to mean something. Yesterday meant "make time even if you don't feel like it." Today means "relax and have peace, even if there doesn't seem like there is any." I hope you "make time to have peace." I have! The trees are beautiful, my husband is funny, the deer we saw was astounding, and Addyson is my baby. I have Peace!

Special Times

I'm having one of those days where I'm longing for a special "family" time. I'm not just talking about my kids and husband, although I do want to go climb a mountain, or walk in the woods with them too. What I mean is I want to have a magical holiday. The holiday where everyone is so excited to see you, and you can stand in the kitchen and cook together, eat fudge, laugh, play games, smile, and not worry about what someone may think about your POLITICAL views or your PERSONAL values, just plain old LOVE. That's my goal this year. I hope it happens....